Table mountain Ossetia. Route to Dining Mountain

On the border with Ingushetia and North Ossetia, there is a unique attraction in its beauty and unusualness -. located not only on the coat of arms of this beautiful city, but also on the coat of arms of the Republic of Ingushetia. Such great attention and great love for the ancient education is marked by a really special uniqueness of this attraction.

The vertical steep slopes of the mountain and the flat top resemble a table, so all formations of this kind are usually called the Table Mountains.

Unique miracle of nature

What is the height of table mountain Vladikavkaz and how to get to it

Table Mountain Height is 3003 m. Therefore, it is visible from a large number of places North Caucasus and is one of the largest peaks of the mountain range. But such a height did not become an obstacle for a large number of tourists striving here from all over the world.

Climbing table mountain Vladikavkaz pretty easy trip. There is an easy trail from Ingushetia. It is not difficult at all and does not require any special mountaineering skills. The mountain itself can be reached by car. The way from the city of Vladikavkaz will not take much time. In 40 minutes you will pass several checkpoints where only a Russian passport is checked, and you will find yourself at the foot of the mountain. The route runs along the A-161 highway, which has a different name - the Georgian Military Road.

After that, you need to turn onto the R-109 highway and drive to the village of Beini, where the road ends and the hiking route begins. After leaving this village, you will see the beautiful towers of Beini. After the towers, turn right and you will find yourself on a hiking route. And then everything happens elementary. You just follow the path without turning anywhere.

Legends of the origin of the mountain

There are an infinite number of legends about the origin of this mountain, each of which is interesting in its own way. But, the most basic the legend of table mountain Vladikavkaz speaks of a young beauty and a young man in love.

In ancient times, a certain people lived in this place, which was subdued by a dragon. This beast every year took tribute from the population in the form of a young girl and took her to his cave. It was possible to get rid of him only if the young lady herself decides to jump into his mouth.

Meanwhile, the prince grew up a beautiful daughter, whom he protected all her life. Upon reaching the age of 16, the prince locked her in a tower to protect her from the dragon. But the girl escaped, disguised as a maid. She decided to save the village and jumped into the dragon's mouth herself. The dragon caught fire and turned into ashes. As a result of such miracles, a mountain was formed, on which the dead girl remained lying. Meanwhile, in the mountains, the shepherd Kazbek was tending sheep. He was secretly in love with this girl. And he asked the gods to turn it into a mountain too. He ran and quickly jumped down. At the place of his death, a mountain was formed, which was called Kazbek. And so they stand, to this day, the most beautiful Mount Kazbek and the young and feminine Table Mountain Vladikavkaz, delighting us and inspiring us to unusual feats.

Table Mountain (Vladikavkaz, Russia) - detailed description, location, reviews, photos and videos.

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Table Mountain is depicted on the coat of arms of Vladikavkaz and is perfectly visible from the city. It is also present on the coat of arms of the Republic of Ingushetia, as it stands on its border with North Ossetia-Alania. This is one of the largest peaks of the Rocky Range. Caucasus mountains, its height is about 3000 m.

Table mountains or tabletop mountains are considered the oldest geological formations. Their peculiarity is a flat top and steep slopes, this form really resembles a table.

The Caucasian Table Mountain has always been revered by local residents, it was an analogue of the Greek Olympus, that is, it was considered the place of residence of the gods. The ruins of many sanctuaries, mainly from the 10th-18th centuries, have been preserved on the mountain. The oldest of them, Myat-Seli, dates back to the 4th-8th centuries.

Hiking trails are laid on the mountain, climbing them takes several hours, but does not require special physical training and equipment. The most convenient of them starts from the side of Ingushetia and is called the “path of the ancestors”, mass ascents of up to 300 people are organized along it at the same time.

Practical Information

Address: Republic of North Ossetia - Alania, suburban area. GPS coordinates: 42.868331; 44.703331.

The most convenient way to get to Table Mountain is by car, the road from Vladikavkaz will take about 40 minutes. You need to go along the A-161 highway (Georgian Military Highway), then turn onto R-109 and move to the village of Beini, where the road ends.

On the way, you will meet several checkpoints where only a Russian passport is checked.

Table Mountain is one of the largest in the Rocky Range. It is located south of the city of Vladikavkaz and is clearly visible from almost any of its districts. The distance to it from the city is about 15 kilometers. In clear weather, the entire massif is clearly visible, stretching from west to east. The mountain is the eastern (extreme) in the Rocky Range on the territory of North Ossetia. Geographically, it belongs to the Tseylam Range (Ingush Republic). From the east, it is limited by a deep depression - the Ger-chech pass, in the west - by the Baltic Gorge, through which the Terek River flows. To the south of it lies the valley of the Armkhi River (Ingush Republic).

The massif has two pronounced peaks, between which several large gendarmes rise. East summit(2993 m) is the main one. It looks like a huge flat table overgrown with grass. It was she who gave the name to the mountain - the Dining Room. From the main peak, a long ridge departs in a smooth arc to the northwest, steeply falling into the valley of the Terek River. It is called "Lion's Mane". To the south of it stretches the Vagai-choch gorge. Here steep walls fall
peaks cut by narrow couloirs. Steep ridges descend to the north, covered in the upper part with grass, below - overgrown with dense forest and shrubs. The western peak (2703 m) is separated from the main peak by a deep narrow bridge. It has the appearance of a large cone with rocky ribs, evenly falling in all directions. It is called the "Head" of the Dining Room.

The Ossetians call the mountain Dining room Madkhokh (Mother Mountain), and the Ingush - Mat Lam, which has the same translation. On the eastern ridge, not far from the main peak, there is an ancient sanctuary. The legend associated with this mountain is curious. Long ago, when Cyclopes were still living in caves and dense forests, one of these monsters got into the kingdom, located north of the present Table Mountain, subjugated him and imposed tribute: every year on the same day he was supposed to bring the most beautiful seventeen-year-old girl . At the same hour, the monster appeared and, ignoring the heart-rending cries of the inhabitants, carried away the girl in order to eat her later. This went on for many years. But then the people found out the secret of the monster: if the most beautiful girl sacrifice herself, run out to meet him and throw herself into the mouth, the monster will die, and the people will get rid of the humiliating and heavy tribute. That year, the beautiful princess turned seventeen. From early childhood, her father kept her locked up, fearing that she might become a victim of a bloodthirsty cyclops. No matter how the father concealed the truth from his daughter, she still found out about the monster and about the misfortune that befell the people, and about the fact that she is the most beautiful of her peers in their kingdom. The fateful day has come. Sobbing crowds went to the plain to give the next victim to the monster. And among them was hiding the princess, who secretly escaped from the castle. When the monster approached the people, a princess of indescribable beauty broke out of the crowd and threw herself into his mouth. There was a terrible roar, flames broke out, and everything was shrouded in smoke. When the smoke cleared, a mountain appeared before the astonished people - a beautiful princess lying on her deathbed. At this time, the beloved of the princess, a brave young shepherd named Kazbek, was tending sheep high in the mountains. Hearing the noise, he looked down from the top and saw how the princess threw herself into the jaws of the monster. Unable to bear the death of his beloved, he rushed down from the cliff, having managed to shout that it would be better for him to turn into a mountain. And immediately the young shepherd turned into a two-humped mountain, rising high above all the mountains to guard the peace of his beloved.

What was the basis for such a legend? Most likely - the outline of the mountain. Looking closely at the contours of the mountain (it is more convenient to observe from the northern part of the city in clear weather, immediately after sunset), you can see a head with loose braids, a fairly clear outline of the face, chest, abdomen, and legs. On the coat of arms of the city of Vladikavkaz, created in 1873, the silhouette of the Table Mountain is one of the components.
A number of routes lead to the top of the mountain. Some of them are popular. Repeatedly, mass ascents were made along them, usually dedicated to some anniversaries. The dining room is replete with numerous grottoes and caves. One of them - Stalactite - is located in the northern spurs of the mountain.

Route 6 to the stalactite cave(Scheme 2, compiled based on the materials of S. F. Grigorovich, 1960)
The path from Vladikavkaz along the VGD after 11 kilometers leads to a lime plant (located near the road, now abandoned). Further traffic goes south 150 meters to the suspension bridge across the Terek. Behind the bridge, a path begins, which leads east along the floodplain of the Terek. From the coastal terrace, where the path leads, the houses and gardens of the village are clearly visible. Chernorechensky. It can be reached by regular bus from Vladikavkaz.
Crossing the village, climb east coast deep rocky gully, the path, following to the east, leads to the forest. At the edge of the forest lies the second shallow beam, overgrown with shrubs. By west coast beams to the south lies a road that turns east and enters the forest. It follows a descent to a small river. The road continues along the left bank, then passes to the right bank, leaves the river, passes through a young forest with a direction to the southeast. Soon the forest parted and a beautiful clearing appeared. Ahead, the rocky peaks of Table Mountain jut out to the south. From here you can clearly see the gorge separating the peaks of the mountain.
The forest road goes south. The movement continues along a wide path that looks like a forest clearing. The path gradually deviates to the south and leads to a small stream. Behind the stream exit to the meadow. In the midst of a young forest on the southeastern outskirts of the clearing stands a tall beech with a forked trunk. Here it is advisable to arrange a short rest, stock up on water. To the right of the beech, 50 meters away in a beam there is a spring.
The path goes to the east. The forest is changing. Old beeches rise high up. The slopes of the mountains are cut by deep beams. Piles of yellow leaves and fallen trees are visible everywhere.
After 1.5 kilometers, having crossed the gully, one should turn south to a wide clearing seen on the mountainside. The cave is close, only 500 meters, but the climb to it is steep. The glade was overgrown with ferns and weeds almost as tall as a man. Thick layers of limestone are visible on both sides. The glade is surrounded by old maples and lindens. The eastern part of the clearing rests on a rocky ledge. At its foot you can see the entrance to the cave.
From s. Chernorechensky to the cave 3 hours walk.
The cave is 34 meters long, 25 meters wide and over 10 meters high. This is a wonderful creation of nature. Lime streaks-stalactites hang from the ceiling of the cave like icicles, and pillars of stalagmites rise from the bottom. The cave is cold and dark. Under the light of lanterns and candles, stalactites and stalagmites take on fantastic shapes.
Travel time with a return to Vladikavkaz takes 8-9 hours.

Route 7 to the village of Beini from Vladikavkaz(scheme 2)
The village of Beini is located in the gorge of the river. Armkhi. From Vladikavkaz to the gorge of the river. Armkhi according to IOP 23 kilometers.
The path starts from the former camp site, located on the corner of the streets of General I. A. Pliev and Costa Avenue. The motorway runs between the slender pines of the forest park, which houses rest houses, gardening farms of the townspeople. At the intersection with the bypass road from the motel goes up cable car, leading to the top of Bald Mountain (now closed). Behind the traffic police post, the Georgian Military Road begins. The steep slopes of the surrounding mountains are covered with dense forest. Below is a wide floodplain of the Terek, into which the spurs of Izvestkovaya Mountain fall.
After 20 minutes, behind the fork on p. Redant shows a small abandoned lime plant. Sheer cliffs rise above it, mastered by climbers and climbers who conduct training and competitions here.
On the right bank of the Terek, the massif of Table Mountain opens wide. Can be seen from p. Balta, that its peaks surprisingly resemble the famous Ushba in miniature.
Leaving the development of Kavdolomit on the left, passing the villages of Balta and Chmi, turning left, the road crosses the bridge over the Terek, leading to the Ezminskaya hydroelectric power station. Here it splits in two. A narrow dirt road turns left into a small gorge leading to the Table Mountain massif. A wide road covered with gravel leads to the beginning of the Dzheyrakh Gorge. In front of the bridge across the turbulent Armkhi River, a monument to the hero-revolutionary Ingush Akhriev was erected. From Vladikavkaz to the fork is 21 kilometers.
The height mark is 920 meters. Nature is changing dramatically, turning into a steppe. The sharp contrast in the appearance of the slopes of the Rocky and Side Ranges is striking. In this place, the first, constantly dried up by the rays of the sun, is covered with steppe vegetation. Prickly bushes - astragalus - are visible everywhere on the slopes. On Bokovoe, facing north, a dense forest grows, noisy streams run. The road rises steeply above the Armkhi River, leading to the village. Dzheyrakh. (Ingush Republic). Passing the village, the road descends into the valley of the river. Armkhi along the layers of destroyed shale.
The valley of the Armkhi River, the largest tributary of the upper Terek, stretches between two ridges: Skalisty and Bokovoy from west to east. Because of this location, there is a lot of sun. The village of Beini is located on the opposite slope at an altitude of 1540 meters above sea level. On the outskirts, a dilapidated tower has been preserved. On the slopes of the surrounding mountains, the remains of Ingush villages are visible.
To s. Beini can also be driven from with. Furtog on the right terrace of the Armkhi River - 10 kilometers from the VGD. Before climbing to the top of Table Mountain near the village, you should make an overnight stay, there is water.

Route 8 to Mount Table from the south of the village of Beini(scheme 2, 4; photo 2)
The ascent starts early in the morning. The ascent passes along the path leading to the saddle of the ridge. At the spring you need to stock up on water. From the saddle, the movement continues along fragrant, dotted with mountain flowers in early summer, meadows to the north-west, and then to the north, focusing on the table-top of the mountain visible in front. Along the way, the karst forms of the mountain attract attention: grottoes, gullies. Bypassing the ancient sanctuary, there is an ascent to the top table. The path goes through the meadows of the table to its western raised edge, which is the top. Here, a tour is made of stones. From the saddle to the top 5 kilometers. The air at the top is clean and fresh, the bright rays of the sun are burning. The buildings of the city of Vladikavkaz and the villages scattered across the plain are clearly visible, from here they seem like toys. Kazbek rises in the south. From it, to the west and east, the mountains of the Lateral Range stretch in an endless ridge. In clear weather, the blue peak of Elbrus is visible in the distance. Here, at an altitude of 3000 meters, there is an unusual silence.
The descent follows the path of the ascent or Route 13.
Climbing with return to the village. Beini occupies a full daylight hours. The route is long, but not technically difficult. Climbing participants are required to have average physical fitness and basic skills of movement in the mountains. It is necessary to have tourist clothes, a supply of food for two days, bivouac equipment.

Route 9 to Mount Stolovaya along the southern ridge from the museum-estate of Akhriev(scheme 2, 4; fig. 1; photo 2)
The entrance from Vladikavkaz to the fork in the road at the Ezminskaya HPP is described in Route 7.
From the fork, turn left on a dirt road into the gorge leading to the Table Mountain massif from the west. After 1 hour of walking, at the end of the gorge, the road turns right up and leads to the museum-estate of Akhriev, located on a wide grassy southwestern ridge. From here you can see both peaks of Table Mountain with two large gendarmes between them. The path goes up a wide steep rise of the ridge, overgrown with sparse forest, gradually taking a southerly direction. Above the middle part, the ridge flattens out, the forest ends. Here it is desirable to make a stop for rest. Top table nearby. A steep grassy slope leads to a rocky ridge. On the simple rocks of the ridge climb to the top table. The rocks abound with niches and grottoes. To the west, the table ends with sheer rock walls. On wide meadows with gentle ups the movement to the top.
From the museum-estate 4-5 hours.
Descent along the ascent path.
The route along the southern ridge is steep, but not technically difficult. Requires climbing participants to have good physical fitness, basic skills of movement in the mountains, tourist clothing, food and drink. In summer, there is no water on the route, in the off-season and in winter there is snow. It is possible to extend the route by going down from the summit to the north to the VGD along Route 13-10.

Route 10 in the Vagaychoch Gorge (Bear Gorge)(scheme 2, 4; photo 3)
The picturesque Vagaychoch gorge stretches between the "Lion's Mane" in the north and the western ridge of the "Head" of the Table in the south. It was formed in the place of rock bending as a result of a tectonic crack.
The entrance to the gorge starts from the 16th kilometer of the VGD. Having passed the bridge over the Terek, the buildings of "Kavdolomita" the road, covered with white dolomite dust, rises in steep zigzags into the gorge. In its middle part, it flattens out. The gorge narrows. On the edge of a large quarry are workers' houses. In the late 1970s, there was a large clearing here, through which a stream with clean water flowed. It was a traditional gathering place and a halt for participants climbing to the top. Further the path goes through a dense low forest overgrown with shrubs. There is no visibility, only the steep sides of the gorge rise at the top. Gradually, the forest thins out, the gorge narrows, turning into a canyon. A small cave is visible at the top of the sheer cliff. Cool and gloomy. Increasingly, stones and boulders come across on the path, and, finally, it becomes completely rocky. The gorge ends with a fork under high cliffs. To the right there is a narrow steep gorge, leading to a small jumper between the gendarme and the "Head" of the Dining Room. On the left stretches the northwestern ridge "Lion's Mane".
The length of the Vagaychoch gorge is 10-12 kilometers, about 3 hours of walking.

Route 11 to the "Lion's Mane" from the south
The exit to the central part of the "Lion's Mane" passes along a path that rises steeply along a grassy slope. There are a lot of “live” stones on the trail, and when it rains, it becomes slippery. As you climb, make frequent rest stops. The ridge is overgrown with frequent dwarf birches. The trail goes up smoothly. The forest parted and the northern part of the massif opens ahead with steep rocky walls cut through by narrow corridors. In a wide depression of the ridge in front of the rocks, it is a convenient place for a bivouac and rest. There is no water, in the off-season and in winter there is snow.
About 3 hours from the fork.
The route requires participants to have good physical fitness, tourist clothing, food and drink. Takes a full daylight hours with the return to IOP.

Route 12 to the Lion's Mane from the north(scheme 2; fig. 2; photo 3, description based on materials by B. M. Beroev)
Entrance to the village Turk from Vladikavkaz by car takes 30 minutes. From the right coastal terrace of the Terek at the extreme southern houses of the village. Turk should enter the forest. Near a small river, turn south and move along its left bank along a forest dirt road, which gradually turns into a path. The first 1-1.5 kilometers of the ascent is negligible. Then the path begins to climb steeply up among the plane tree forest, in some places with slight zigzags. After 1.5 hours of movement through the forest, there is an exit to a small jumper, from which there is an ascent in the middle of the forest along the slope to the "Lion's Mane". After another 1.5 kilometers, the forest ends, and then there are animal trails laid in raspberry thickets to the very ridge.
The descent takes place along the path of the ascent, or, having descended along the ridge for 1.5 kilometers, parallel to the ascent route. It is possible to descend to the Vagaychoch gorge along the Route. eleven.
The length of the route is 14-15 kilometers, the duration is 6-7 hours.

Route 13 to Table Mountain from the north (1B)(scheme 2, 4; fig. 2; photo 3)
The ascent to the "Lion's Mane" is described in Routes 10-12.
From a wide drop in the ridge in front of the rocks, move up or around easy rocks. The steepness of the ridge reaches 40-45 degrees. After 2.5 hours approach under a steep (up to 55°) wide couloir, about 60 meters long. Here you need insurance, hanging railings. In the off-season and in winter, snow lies in the couloir, and ice is possible in the upper part. Sheer cliffs all around.
The couloir brings the tops to the table. At 100 meters from the edge of the table of stones, the summit tour is built.
The route from the VGD to the summit takes 6-7 hours. It requires climbing participants to have the skills of movement in the mountains, tourist clothing and equipment (ice axes, rope), food and drink, bivouac equipment.

Route 14 to Table Mountain from the west (2 ks)(scheme 4; fig. 2; photo 3)
On April 20-21, 1991, a group of climbers from North Ossetia tried to pass the route from the side of the "Head" of the Dining Room, passing the latter by a traverse from the south and descending to the jumper in front of the 1st gendarme. Members of the group: Yu. V. Levkovsky, I. O. Afanasiev, I. O. Bondarenko, A. P. Glazov. An approximate description is given.
The approach along the Vagaychoch gorge to the fork is described in Route 10. Turning to the right, climb along the left side of a narrow steep gorge, above the middle part turning into a couloir. In the off-season, snow lies in it, the slopes are saturated with water. The couloir is clearly visible from Vladikavkaz. After 2-3 hours, exit to a small jumper between the eastern ridge of the "Head" of the Dining Room and the 1st gendarme. To the south, the lintel breaks off with steep walls. To the left-up in the ridge leading to the main peak, there are rocks of the "ram's foreheads" type, about 2-3 st. Hook insurance, railings are required. The length of the rocks is about 100 meters, the steepness is 45-50 degrees. The rocks lead to a wide steep scree shelf, bypassing the 1st gendarme on the left. The length of the shelf is 150 meters. The regiment leads to the western ridge behind the 1st gendarme. Then follows the movement along the simple western ridge through the 2nd gendarme to the rocks on the western side of the summit table. One of the short steep couloirs leads to the summit.
The duration of the route is 2 days with an overnight stay on the western ridge or at the top. Equipment - ice axes, ropes, rock hooks.

Route 15 to the "Head" of the Canteen along the eastern ridge (1A)(scheme 4: fig. 2; photo 3).
The ascent to the lintel between the eastern ridge of the "Head" of the Canteen and the 1st gendarme is described in Route 14.
At 40-60 meters from the lintel, turn right and go out onto a narrow steep grassy-rocky ledge 40 meters long. Further movement along a steep grassy slope with access to the eastern ridge. First, 20-30 meters along the uncomplicated rocks of the eastern gentle ridge, then 150-200 meters along a large scree with large boulders to a large gendarme, which is bypassed on the right along a steep grassy slope (in the off-season and in winter there is snow, increased avalanche danger,
key section of the route, belay through an ice ax, it is possible to hang a railing). Climb to the top along the ridge after 100 meters.
From the fork at the end of the Vagaychoch gorge 5-6 hours.
The route requires climbing participants to have knowledge and skills of initial climbing training. It is necessary to have ice axes, a rope.

Route 16, to the "Head" of the Dining Room from the south (1B), option 1(scheme 4)
The path to the fork in the road at the Ezminskaya HPP is described in Route 7.
From the fork, turn left on a dirt road into the gorge leading to the Table Mountain massif from the west. After 1 hour of walking, at the end of the gorge, the road turns right up and leads to the museum-estate of Akhriev, located on a wide grassy southwestern ridge.
The route continues along the gorge, which narrows, turning into a canyon with steep rocky and grassy slopes. After 1 hour there is an approach under the rocky step blocking the gorge. An eight-meter metal staircase hangs from above. Climbing the stairs and again moving along the bottom of the gorge. Gradually, the gorge widens, the slopes lose their height, become flatter. The gorge turns into a large beam. The rocky massif of Table Mountain opens up ahead. To the left, steep grassy slopes lead to the southern ridge of the "Head" of the Dining Room.
The duration of the route from the fork in the road at the Ezminskaya HPP is 4-5 hours.

Route 17, to the "Head" of the Dining Room from the south (1B), option 2(scheme 4)
At the end of the gorge, from the turn of the road to the museum-estate of Akhriev, turning left, climb 250-300 meters along a steep shallow scree under the rocks. Here you need to find the beginning of the path, which goes among the rocks of the right side of the gorge. The first approach to the route passes along the bottom of this gorge. Winding among the rocks, gradually gaining height, the path leads under the grassy slopes of the eastern side of the southern ridge of the "Head" of the Dining Room. On steep (up to 45 degrees) grassy slopes climb to the southern ridge. On the left is a large sloping peak on which the repeater stands. This is Mount Dikdu (2196 m). From the saddle of the southern ridge there is a good view in all directions. A panorama of the Table Mountain massif opens.

The travel time of the routes is full daylight hours. Both approaches require participants to have average physical fitness, basic mountain mobility skills, hiking clothing, food and drink. Some difficulty is climbing the metal ladder in the gorge, as well as the steep grassy slopes at the exit to the southern ridge.

Route 18, to the "Head" of the Dining Room from the south (1A)(scheme 4; fig. 1; photo 3)
The path to the summit goes along a wide southern ridge overgrown with grass, leading to the beginning of a scree couloir. Ascent along the steep scree of the couloir, then along its right side under the rocks. In the middle part of the couloir, turning to the right, movement along a narrow steep rocky-grass ledge 50 meters long, at the end of which there is an unpleasant psychological section with a protruding rock. Further to the left up a steep (up to 50 degrees) grassy chute to the ridge. On simple rocks 1-2 k. ate. climb to the top.
From the fork in the road at the Ezminskaya HPP 7-8 hours.
The route requires climbing participants to have knowledge and skills of initial climbing training. It is necessary to have ice axes, a rope. There is no water on the route.
From the west, a rocky couloir leads to the top of the "Head" of the Canteen. Passed by R.P. Proskuryakov and rated as 2A class.

The territory of North Ossetia is almost entirely covered with mountains, local residents consider them the property of the republic. From the second half of spring until the very end of summer, tourists come to Ossetia - lovers of admiring and conquering the peaks. Even in the capital of the republic there is the most beautiful Table Mountain, which is also clearly visible in Ingushetia. This peak is loved by tourists for the many laid and fairly simple routes.

Description

The height of the mountain is 3003 meters. It is located on the border between two republics: Ingushetia and North Ossetia, and is visible from both capitals - Vladikavkaz and Magas. This peak is depicted on the coats of arms of both republics. In good cloudless weather, the mountain can be seen from anywhere in Vladikavkaz.

She received the name for her bizarre shape, reminiscent of a huge flat table. In the Ossetian language there is another name - Madkhokh, which translates as "mother mountain".

On the mountain there are many beautiful grottoes and caves, several ancient sanctuaries.

Legend

There is more than one legend about Table Mountain. But there is one most popular story that is told to all visitors. Once upon a time, dragons lived in these places. On the mountain itself, there was a certain principality, which was conquered by one of the dragons. As a tribute to the animal, the principality has pledged to give away one 16-year-old girl every year. locals prayed and asked the dragon not to do it again, but he did not hear. However, there was an opinion that if there was a brave young girl and voluntarily surrendered herself to be eaten, then the principality would immediately get rid of the dragon.

Naturally, such a brave girl was found. She was the daughter of a prince and had a magnificent appearance. The father protected the young princess as best he could, but the day came when it was necessary to pay tribute. The girl changed into a servant's outfit and hid in the crowd. And when the dragon came, she threw herself into the mouth of the beast, breathing fire.

At the same moment, the dragon let out a terrible roar, caught fire. After the smoke disappeared, people saw only the charred body of the dragon. This place is now Table Mountain.

The story doesn't end there. It turns out that a shepherd named Kazbek was secretly in love with the girl. From the mountain, he watched the sacrificial act of his beloved. Seeing the petrified body of the young princess, he prayed to the gods, asking them to turn him into a mountain. Higher powers heard him and fulfilled the request; thus the shepherd is now always guarding his beloved.

Mountain climbing

You can climb Table Mountain from Ingushetia, where the access control for tourists has already been canceled in the Dzheyrakhsky district. In this case, the ascent begins in the village of Beini. An ancient road called the “path of the ancestors” leads from the settlement. If you start from Vladikavkaz, you will also have to get to the settlement of Beini. Today, only 89 people live in the village, and according to local legend, the name translates as “dead warriors”. Not far from the settlement tent city, but it works only in the season when it is possible to climb the mountain.

During the ascent to the Table Mountain of Vladikavkaz, you can see a unique attraction - the Myat-Seli sanctuary.

Ingushetia adopted Islam back in the 19th century, but a lot of evidence of ancient beliefs remains on the territory of the republic. As early as 1925, sacrificial ceremonies were held in this sanctuary. In the traditions of the people, the customs of paying tribute to the Water Mother or Khin-Nan are still preserved. For example, at the wedding ceremony, you can often see how the bride breaks a chicken egg by the stream, it is an old tradition to pay tribute to the Water Mother so that there is no drought.

Before ancient sanctuary up about 2 hours. Inside the pagan temple, you can sometimes see local shepherds staying overnight. In these places, you get wonderful photos of the Table Mountain of Vladikavkaz - surrounded by horses and beautiful vegetation.

"Throne of the Gods"

The sanctuary of Myater-dala is even higher compared to Myat-Seli, at an altitude of 2600 meters, so there are fewer tourists in these places. This is a very poorly preserved building of a pagan sanctuary, the construction of which dates back to the 16th century. In fact, only one entrance has been preserved. According to the remains of the foundation, it can be understood that the foundation of the sanctuary was 3.9 X 2.75 meters in size. The height of the building is about 3 meters. The facade once featured deer antlers and there was a small opening in front of the entrance. Inside the sanctuary there was only a niche where sacrifices were brought. Apparently, the roof was gable with seven steps.

Holidays for demanding tourists

Excellent photos of Table Mountain are obtained from the windows of the Armkhi health-improving complex. It is located in the Dzheirakhsky district and can simultaneously accommodate 140 people. The sanatorium is already known far beyond Ingushetia and the Caucasus. People come here not only to treat respiratory diseases, but also to admire the surrounding beauties.

The complex has all the conditions for comfortable rest and treatment. There is a swimming pool, fitness center, saunas. On the territory of the complex operates Kid `s camp, which takes up to 1500 children in the summer. And all these amenities in the environment forest areas and ancient monuments of architecture that have survived to this day. The administration of the complex offers many excursions, including a trip to Table Mountain.